Slider window for pick-up truck, and/or method of making the same

ABSTRACT

Certain example embodiments relate to a window assembly for a vehicle. A slidable window panel includes at least one top pin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto. A single fixed window panel includes a hole defined therein for receiving the slidable panel. An elongated upper rail includes first and second upper rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one top pin attached to the slidable panel. An elongated lower rail includes first and second lower rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one bottom pin attached to the slidable panel. The upper and lower rails are connected to the fixed panel. The first upper rail channel and the first lower rail channel are provided at a first depth and the second upper rail channel and the second lower rail channel are provided at a second depth. The slidable panel is substantially flush with the fixed panel when closed, but is slightly inwardly and laterally movable when being opened. Safety features may include, for example, teeth provided to the upper and/or lower elongated rails of the window assembly and/or a downwardly extending flange provided to the upper rail of the window assembly. Water management features may include, for example, one or more sealing bulbs provided to the window assembly and/or a draining recess or channel provided to the lower rail of the window assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/896,604,filed Sep. 4, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,963,070), which claims priorityon Provisional Ser. No. 60/843,424 filed Sep. 11, 2006, the entiredisclosures of which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference inthis application.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.10/653,412, 10/967,342, and 10/996,046, the entire disclosures of whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention in certain example instances relates to a slidable windowwhich may be used as a rear window in a pick-up truck, heavy trucksleeper applications, or in any other suitable application. Certainexample embodiments of this invention relate to a substantiallyflush-mounted slidable window for use as a rear window in a pick-uptruck, wherein the window includes one or a pair of fixed window sheets,and a slidable window sheet.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Rear windows for pick-up trucks, which have a slidable window sheet, areknown in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,542,214, 5,996,284,5,522,191, 4,124,054, and the like. In slider window systems for pick-uptrucks (e.g., see patents mentioned above), a center slidable window istypically provided between a pair of fixed windows. Each of the windowsis typically made of glass.

Although a number of slider systems have been provided, it will beappreciated that further improvements and/or refinements to such sliderwindows are still possible.

One aspect of certain example embodiments of this invention relates to awindow assembly for a vehicle including one fixed window panel includinga hole defined therein for receiving a slidable window panel.

Another aspect of certain example embodiments relates to safety featuresprovided to a window assembly. Such safety features may include teethprovided to the upper and/or lower elongated rails of the windowassembly, and/or a downwardly extending flange provided to the upperrail of the window assembly.

Still another aspect of certain example embodiments relates to watermanagement features provided to a window assembly. Such water managementfeatures may include one or more sealing bulbs provided to the windowassembly, and/or a draining recess or channel provided to the lower railof the window assembly.

In certain example embodiments of this invention, a window assembly fora vehicle is provided. A slidable window panel includes at least one toppin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto. A single fixed windowpanel includes a hole defined therein for receiving the slidable panel.An elongated upper rail includes first and second upper rail channelsdefined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one top pinattached to the slidable panel, with the upper rail being connected tothe fixed panel. An elongated lower rail includes first and second lowerrail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least onebottom pin attached to the slidable panel, with the lower rail beingconnected to the fixed panel. The first upper rail channel and the firstlower rail channel are provided at a first depth. The second upper railchannel and the second lower rail channel are provided at a seconddepth. The first depth is different from the second depth. The slidablepanel is substantially flush with the fixed panel when closed. Theslidable panel is slightly inwardly and laterally movable when beingopened via the respective rail channels provided to the upper and lowerrails.

In certain other example embodiments, a method of making a windowassembly for a vehicle is provided. A slidable window panel including atleast one top pin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto isprovided. A fixed window panel including a hole defined therein forreceiving the slidable panel is provided. An elongated upper rail isconnected to the fixed panel. An elongated lower rail is connected tothe fixed panel. First and second upper rail channels are defined in theupper rail and first and second lower rail channels are defined in thelower rail for respectively slidingly receiving the at least one top pinand the at least one bottom pin attached to the slidable panel. Thefirst upper rail channel and the first lower rail channel are providedat a first depth, the second upper rail channel and the second lowerrail channel are provided at a second depth, and the first depth isdifferent from the second depth. The slidable panel is substantiallyflush with the fixed panel when closed. The slidable panel is slightlyinwardly and laterally movable when being opened via the respective railchannels provided to the upper and lower rails.

In certain other example embodiments, a vehicle comprising a windowassembly is provided. The window assembly includes a slidable windowpanel including at least one top pin and at least one bottom pinattached thereto; a single fixed window panel including a hole beingdefined therein for receiving the slidable panel; an elongated upperrail including first and second upper rail channels defined therein forslidingly receiving the at least one top pin attached to the slidablepanel, the upper rail being connected to the fixed panel; and anelongated lower rail including first and second lower rail channelsdefined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one bottom pinattached to the slidable panel, the lower rail being connected to thefixed panel. The first upper rail channel and the first lower railchannel are provided at a first depth, the second upper rail channel andthe second lower rail channel are provided at a second depth, and thefirst depth is different from the second depth. The slidable panel issubstantially flush with the fixed panel when closed. The slidable panelis slightly inwardly and laterally movable when being opened via therespective rail channels provided to the upper and lower rails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages may be better and morecompletely understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionof exemplary illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the drawings,of which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative slider window assembly shown as beingconnected to a fixed glass panel in accordance with an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed view of the visible outer surface of theslider window assembly of FIG. 1 (e.g., as would be visible from thecabin interior of a vehicle) in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the slider window assembly of FIG. 1showing the protruding portion of an illustrative latch/lock thereof inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of the inner surface of the slider windowassembly of FIG. 1 (e.g., which generally would not be visible from thecabin interior of a vehicle) in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the slider window assembly of FIG. 1showing the outer surface an illustrative latch/lock thereof inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative slider windowassembly including an illustrative seal and seal carrier formed on thelower rail of a slider window assembly in accordance with an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the illustrative seal and seal carrier ofFIG. 6 in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative slider windowassembly including an illustrative seal and seal carrier formed on theupper rail of a slider window assembly in accordance with an exampleembodiment; and,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a typical rear window structure of apick-up truck according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a windowstructure for use as a rear window in a pick-up truck or the like. Theslidable window panel may be approximately flush with the fixed panel(s)when in the closed position. However, when the slidable window panel isopened, it may be moved toward the vehicle interior slightly and thenslid laterally to an open position(s) via one or more track(s). Thus, itwill be appreciated that the movable window panel or sheet is not flushwith the fixed panel(s) when in an opened position.

The slider window assembly may comprise first and second polymerinclusive injection molded rails (e.g., upper and lower rails). Eachrail may be affixed via an adhesive to a fixed glass panel and/or tosheet metal adjacent to the window opening. Teeth of one or both of therails may be affixed to the sheet metal, in order to reduce the chanceof the rail(s) and/or glass flying into the vehicle interior during anaccident or crash condition. Moreover, a flange may be provided incertain areas of the upper rail to reduce the chance of the rail(s)and/or glass flying into the vehicle interior during an accident orcrash condition. In still further example embodiments of this invention,the bottom rail may be provided with a water drainage channel/recessdefined therein to allow water on the interior surface of the window todrain out of the window assembly.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in whichlike reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the severalviews, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a typical rear window structureof a pick-up truck according to an example embodiment of this invention.The pick-up truck includes front door 2, cab roof 4, and truck bed 6 atleast partially defined by front bed wall 8. The window structureincludes first and second fixed panels or sheets 10 and 12, andslidable/movable panel, sheet or window 14, all of which may be of orinclude glass, plastic, or the like. Each of panels or windows 10, 12and 14 may be substantially transparent for window viewing purposesaccording to certain example embodiments of this invention, and each maybe entirely flat or slightly curved/bent in shape according to certainexample embodiments of this invention. Alternatively, in certain otherexample embodiments of this invention, there may only be one fixed glasspanel with a hole being defined therein for receiving the movable glassor plastic panel 14.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a slider window assembly for use in a pick-up truckor the like according to an example embodiment of this invention. Theslider window assembly includes, inter alia, elongated upper rail 21,elongated lower rail 23, fixed glass window panel 25 having an apertureor cut-out defined therein for receiving movable/slidable glass panel orwindow 27, optional handle 29 for opening/closing the slidable panel 27,latch/lock 31 for locking the slidable window in the closed position.The upper and lower rails 21, 23 may be made of plastic or the like incertain example embodiments of this invention (e.g., PBT plastic whichmay be glass filled; such PBT may be a Rynite material from Dupont or anArnite material from DMS in certain example instances, and the glassfiller or loading may be from approximately 0-30%, more preferably fromabout 5-30% in certain example instances). When in the closed position,the slidable panel 27 is substantially flush with the fixed panel 25 incertain example instances, although in alternative example embodimentsit need not be flush or substantially flush with the fixed panel(s).

Upper and lower rails 21 and 23 are typically attached to the interiorsurface of the back window of the pick-up truck, as shown in FIG. 1 forexample. In certain example instances, the rails 21, 23 may be bonded tothe glass of the fixed window via any suitable adhesive, e.g., a twopart urethane adhesive such as DOW Betamate. In certain exampleembodiments, respective parts of the elongated rails 21 and 23 arebonded to the fixed glass in such a manner, and the teeth 35 of therails 21, 23 may be bonded to sheet metal surrounding the window openingin the vehicle; and the teeth 35 may be bonded to the sheet metal of thevehicle via a moisture cured urethane adhesive or any other suitableadhesive in certain example embodiments of this invention. Fasteners mayoptionally be used for such attaching as well.

The attachment of some or all of the teeth 35 of the rails to the sheetmetal of the vehicle defining the window opening is advantageous in thatit is an excellent safety feature. In particular, this helps maintainthe rails 21 and/or 23 attached to the sheet metal and thus the vehiclebody during an accident or the like, thereby reducing the chances of thewindow assembly, or parts thereof, hitting vehicle passenger(s) and/ordriver(s) in the back during such adverse conditions (e.g., if the rearwindow glass should break/shatter). The wide-tabbed teeth 35 of therails may be referred to as whale's teeth in certain example instances.In certain example embodiments, some or all of the teeth 35 have a widthdimension (W) of from about 1.5 to 5.0 inches, more preferably fromabout 2.0 to 3.0 inches, and a depth dimension (D) of from about 0.5 to2.0 inches, more preferably from about 0.6 to 1.4 inches. The strengthprovided by these dimensions is advantageous from a safety perspective.

Top rail 21 has first and second channels 37 defined therein forslidingly receiving top pins 39 attached to the slidable panel 27,thereby permitting the slidable panel 27 to slide relative to the toprail 21 and the fixed window. The channels 37 defined in the upper railmay be at least partially provided to different depths in certainexample embodiments of this invention, and may or may not communicatewith each other. In a similar manner, bottom rail 23 has first andsecond channels 41 defined therein for slidingly receiving bottom pins43 attached to the slidable panel 27, thereby permitting the slidablepanel 27 to slide relative to the bottom rail 23 and the fixed window.The channels 41 defined in the bottom rail may be at least partiallyprovided to different depths in certain example embodiments of thisinvention, and may or may not communicate with each other. The slidingwindow assembly may be power or manually actuated in certain exampleembodiments of this invention.

Top rail 21 includes a downwardly extending flange 45, whichadvantageously helps retain the movable panel 27 in position duringaccidents or the like. This feature may also help reduce the chance ofthe movable panel 27 leaving its mounts and hitting passenger(s) and/ora driver of the vehicle from behind during an accident or the like. Asshown in the figures, flange 45 does not extend the entire length of thetop rail 21, and instead is only or primary located only in areas wherethe movable panel 27 is movable during normal window operations. Thus,in certain example embodiments, in a crash or accident condition of thevehicle, even if the upper pin(s) 39 fall out of their slide channel(s)37, the flange 45 can help prevent or reduce the chance of the window 27flying or failing forward toward an occupant of the vehicle.

One or more bulb seal(s) 51 (e.g., formed via injection molding orcompression molding) may be provided to provide a water seal between thesliding panel 27 and the fixed panel(s) 25. The bulb seal(s) may bemounted on seal carrier 53 which is attached to the movable panel or thefixed panel in alternative example embodiments of this invention. Sealcarrier 53 may extend around and/or proximate to substantially theentire periphery of panel 27 in certain example embodiments of thisinvention. Moreover, when it is desired to open window 27, biasing forceprovided by the bulb seal(s) 51 may provide a force which helps thewindow 27 to open relative to the fixed window 25.

A water management feature is also provided in certain exampleembodiments of this invention. In certain example embodiments, thebottom rail 23 may have a substantially wedge-shaped or triangularrecess 61 defined therein which is designed to allow water from theinterior surface of the fixed or sliding panel to flow therethrough fordrainage purposes. The water draining recess 61 is defined in the sideof the lower rail 23 which faces the fixed glass, and has two mountingprotrusions 63 provided on the sides thereof (e.g., the protrusions 63protrude toward the glass 25 from the side of the rail 23 facing theglass 25). Adhesive is provide on the protrusions 63, but not in therecess or channel 61 therebetween, so as to permit the lower rail 23 tobe attached to the glass 25 and/or sheet metal without clogging up thewater draining recess/channel 61. Accordingly, water which may leak intothe interior of the vehicle (e.g., if the slider panel 27 was not closedduring a rainstorm, or if there was a leak in the seal) is permitted todrain out of the lower rail 23 and slider window assembly viacollection/draining recess/channel 61. The drain channel 61 issandwiched between the glass 25 and the injection molded lower rail 23.Moreover, in view of the adhesive mounting protrusions 63 located oneither side of the recess/channel 61, this design also permits the waterto drain out without being blocked by adhesive which may be adhering therail 23 to the glass 25 and/or sheet metal.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A method of making a window assembly for a vehicle, the methodcomprising: having a slidable window panel including at least one toppin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto; having a fixed windowpanel including a hole defined therein for receiving the slidable panel;connecting an elongated upper rail to the fixed panel; connecting anelongated lower rail to the fixed panel; and, providing first and secondupper rail channels in the upper rail and first and second lower railchannels in the lower rail for respectively slidingly receiving the atleast one top pin and the at least one bottom pin attached to theslidable panel, the first upper rail channel and the first lower railchannel being provided at a first depth, the second upper rail channeland the second lower rail channel being provided at a second depth, thefirst depth being different from the second depth; wherein the slidablepanel is substantially flush with the fixed panel when closed; whereinthe slidable panel is slightly inwardly and laterally movable when beingopened via the respective rail channels provided to the upper and lowerrails; and providing first and second mounting protrusions on opposingsides of a water draining recess or channel such that the first andsecond mounting protrusions protrude towards the fixed panel, whereinthe water draining recess or channel is defined in the lower rail facingthe fixed panel.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising bondingthe upper rail and the lower rail to the fixed panel via an adhesive. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising respectively providing teethfor the upper rail and/or the lower rail of the slidable panel.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising forming a downwardly extendingflange on the upper rail of the slidable panel to help retain theslidable panel in a normal slidable position.
 5. The method of claim 4,further comprising primarily locating the flange in an area(s) where theslidable panel is movable during normal window operation.
 6. The methodof claim 1, further comprising applying an adhesive to the first andsecond mounting protrusions but not in the water draining recess orchannel.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging at leastone bulb seal so as to provide a water seal between the slidable paneland the fixed panel.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprisingmounting the at least one bulb seal on a seal carrier attached to theslidable panel or the fixed panel.